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(HOWARD, SD) – The Howard community has once again rallied behind their neighbors and showed support for local cancer patients through the fifth annual “Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer” campaign.
Howard High school students, teachers and the Horizon Health Foundation teamed up to raise awareness and funds for Miner County residents who are undergoing cancer treatment. Through this year’s “Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer” campaign, the students raised just over $10,380, which includes a $2,500 matching gift from Callies Homes.
“I am proud of our local high school students for their efforts to help their fellow community members,” said Misty Rudebusch, PA-C, MPAS, medical director and provider at Howard Community Health Center. “I have witnessed the financial burden that battling cancer or getting the necessary screenings can bring to our patients and their families, but because of Tigers Step Up 2 Cancer they’ve had some of that burden lifted.”
Since its conception, the campaign has helped 42 local cancer patients. This year’s efforts bring the total raised since the inception of the program to $38,857, all of which will benefit Horizon Health Care cancer patients in Miner County.
“Thank you to everyone who supported the program, you make our community an exceptional place to live,” said Brianna Feldhaus, Horizon Health Foundation development officer. “Local cancer patients are able to step up to cancer because of you!”
Throughout December and January, Howard High School students have led the fundraising efforts through sponsorship solicitation, t-shirt sales and marketing efforts. The Howard High School National Honor Society and Howard High School volleyball team also held additional fundraising events through Hat Day and Dig Pink night to support the program.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the community who participated in TSU2C to help us in raising money for community members battling cancer,” said Ciana Schwader, Howard High School student council president. “Being involved in this program has been so fun and impactful, and I am excited to see the effect it will have on the community. I cannot wait to see this program continue to thrive in the future.”
The Howard students would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Callies Homes (matching gift); 605 Meats; Twisted Pair Communications; American Bank & Trust; Whispering Winds; Fidelity Abstract & Title Company; Rivers Edge Bank; Fox Promo; Howard NHS; Canova Service Center; D-S Land & Cattle – Connor Farms; Dawson’s Corner Pantry; Good Samaritan Society – Howard; Howard Auto Clinic; MidPrairie Appraisals, LLC; Miner Insurance Agency – Curt Neises; Rusty’s Food Store; and Schwader Family Farms.
The Horizon Health Foundation was established in 2016 to ensure rural health care access to those in need and provide funding for Horizon Health Care. Horizon Health Foundation, a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation, seeks through responsible activities to encourage and derive sustaining gift support from current and former patients and interested friends, including corporate entities. The Horizon Health Foundation, operating in coordination with Horizon Health Care, is the duly designated fundraising arm for Horizon Health Care. In the broadest sense, the purpose of the Foundation is to create an awareness of the financial needs of Horizon Health Care, which are not provided by patient charges and to systematically implement plans by which dollar needs can be met.
About Horizon Health Care
For over 40 years, Horizon Health Care has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and behavioral health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 110,000 patient visits annually in 32 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Alcester, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Elk Point, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River, Woonsocket, and Yankton. For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org.